Skylight construction



April 26, 1966 D. E. BLOXSOM SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 1'7, 1963 R wmwv fiw /01F, A 5 Wflm ar 0 m April 26, 1966 D.E. BLoxsoM SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17. 1963fi mw flan E. fi/oxJom INVENTOR.

BY U, 4/

ATTORNEVJ 'In this illustration the roof is of the so-called United.This invention relates to improvements in skylight construction.

The use of skylight construction, such as plastic domes,

has generally been limited to substantially flat or gently sloping roofstructures. These skylight constructions have not been satisfactory formore sharply pitched roofs, for example a roof having a pitch of 30, dueto water flowing down the roof and into the skylight and leaking. Therehave been many skylight constructions proposed and made, but none isknown which effectively prevents leaking on sharply pitched roofs, suchas roofs having a pitch of 30 and more. i It would be highlyadvantageous to provide a skylight construction, that is one utilizing aplastic or other type dome, which will not leak even when used onsharply pitched roofs, such as roofs having a pitch in the range of 30and more. The present invention is directed to such a skylightconstruction.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to .provide askylight construction which will not leak when placed on sharply pitchedroofs.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of askylight construction which may be used on sharply pitched roofs of theorder of 30 and more which are relatively simple and inexpensive toconstruct and install and which are leak proof in use.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will appear from the following description of apresently-preferred embodiment thereof, given for the purpose ofdisclosure, and taken, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals designate like parts throughout theseveral views, and where FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a skylightconstruction according to the invention,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of a gutter member illustratedin FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line z t-sot FIGURE1.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG- URE 1, theskylight construction is generally indicated by the reference numeraland is shown in place on the pitched roof 12. The skylight construction10 includes the plastic bubble or dome 14 which covers the skylightopening 18 in the roof. The dome 14, of course, may be made of anysuitable material which.wi1l withstand the weather conditions to beencountered and yet provide light into the skylight opening 18. Sinceany desired dome made of any suitable material may be used, no detaileddescription thereof is deemed necessary or given.

.The details of the skylight construction 10 are best illustrated inFIGURE 3, to which reference is now made. built up type although it maybe of any desired type, for example shingles and the like. i Asillustrated, the built up roof 12 includes the roof decking 16 which isprovided with the skylight opening 18. Disposed about the skylightopening 18 is a framing or curb member 20, which in the case of built uproofs of the type illustrated is placed on top of the decking 16adjacent the opening 187 a first layer of fibrous insulating material,such as the felt paper 22, disposed on the decking 16 and over the curbmember 20, ordinarily a second layer of such fibrous in- 3,247,632Patented Apr. 26, 1966 sulating material 24 on top of the first layer 22over which is placed a layer of tar or asphaltic material 26 into whichis placed gravel, slag and the like, not shown. This is a typical builtup roof construction; however, it will be understood that the skylightconstruction 10 may be applied to any type roof construction. a

The skylight construction includes a structural or frame member 28,which includes what might be termed a retaining wall 30 which extendsupwardly from the curb member Ztlaround the skylight opening 18 andforms a continuation thereof. The frame member 28 includes an outwardlyextending base flange member 32 which seats on and is secured to thecurb member 20, such as by the screws 34.

It is noted that the base member or flange 32 is disposed under the roofmaterials, here shown as the layers of felt paper 22 and 24, and thelayer of taror asphaltic material 26.

Disposed intermediate the ends of the retaining wall or member 30, andextending outwardly is the flange 36, which extends completely aroundthe retaining wall 30, and which forms a seat against which the outermarginal ends 38 of the plastic skylight 14 are placed and tightlysecured thereto by the generally U-shaped securing member 40, which iswelded or otherwise secured together so that it completely surrounds themarginal ends 38 of the plastic skylight 14 and the underside of theseat 36 as shown. Thus, the skylight 14 is supported by and is securelyheld in place by means of the seat 36 and the retaining or securingmember 40.

With the construction described and shown, and without any additionalleakage preventing means, leakage would occur at the high side of theskylight construction when placed on a sharply pitched roof. vent thisleakage from occurring, what might be termed an additional seal stripgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 42 is utilized adjacent thehigh side of the skylight construction which preferably extendsdownwardly along the sides of the skylight construction a shortdistance.

The seal strip 42 includes a generally flat, sheet-like base member 44,an upstanding wall member 46 and a flange member 48 extending inwardlyfrom the upstanding member 46. In the event the side members areutilized, corresponding members 44a, 44b, 46a, 46b, 48a and 48b, areprovided. Preferably, the members of the sealstrip 42 are disposed at.right angles to one another as shown, although any desired angle may beutilized.

Turning again to FIGURE 3, the seal strip 42 is shown in place and ishere shown as secured by the same securing means, the screws 34, as thebase flange 32 is secured to the curb 20. The base flange44 of theauxiliary seal strip 42 is disposed under the second layer of felt paper24 with the asphaltic material 26 disposed on top. e

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the sides 44a and 44b extend a relativelyshort distance along the sides of the skylight construction 10 and, ifdesired, may be omitted.

Turning again to FIGURE 3, it is noted that on the upper side of theskylight construction 10 there are in effect three gutters formed asindicated by the letters 'A, B, and C. The first gutter A drains aconsiderable In order to pre-- horizontal level indicated by the dottedline X-X. The gutter arrangement illustrated prevents the water fromrising above this level since the upper end of the upstanding wallmember 46 of the seal strip 42 extends to a vertical height in ahorizontal plane above the top or high side 50 of the retaining wall 30and, hence, prevents leakage.

The water in the gutters A, B and C flow around the skylightconstruction and down the roof. Also, any Water which might seep intothe space 52 between the retaining wall 28 above the intermediate flangeor seat 36 and the skylight 14, flows around the retaining wall and outthe lower side.

As previously mentioned, the side walls of the auxiliary seal strip 42may be omitted with satisfactory results. Preferably, however, the sidemembers are provided and extend a relatively short distance to insureagainst any possibilities of leakage at the upper part of the sides. Ifdesired, the side wall may extend a substantial distance; however, it isessential that drainage be provided at the lower side of the skylightconstruction for draining any water which may get into the skylightconstruction as previously described.

The structural members of the skylight construction may be formed of anysuitable material, such as various of the metals and the like, forexample extruded aluminum as well as other materials which are strongenough and which 'are suitable for such construction purposes.

The skylight opening 18 may be of any shape, and may be for single ormultiple skylights. In this event, the frame member 28 is suitablyconformed to the shape, the seat 36 is suitably provided to support theskylight domes, and the auxiliary seal strip 4-2 is suitably shaped anddisposed around a high side of the skylight opening.

In some roof construction, the curb is not raised, for example inshingle roof construction, where it is flush with the structural roofmembers. The skylight construction of the present invention is securedto these curb members as previously described and provides asatisfactory leak-proof skylight construction on inclined roofs.

While the present invention is particularly useful on highly or sharplypitched roofs, for example, of the order of or more, it is also usefulon roofs of less pitch. It is only necessary that the vertical height ofthe auxiliary seal strip be above the height in a horizontal plane ofthe wall of the skylight to effectively drain away from it and thusavoid leaking.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted and suited to attainthe objects and ends and has the advantages and features mentioned aswell as others inherent therein.

While only a presently-preferred embodiment of the invention is givenfor the purpose of disclosure, changes in details and arrangement ofparts may be made which are within the spirit of the invention asdefined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A skylight construction mounted on a pitched roof provided with askylight opening comprising,

a skylight frame emmber having an outwardly-extending base flangesecured to and seated on the pitched roof about the skylight opening,

:an upstanding wall extending from and substantially normal to the baseflange and about the skylight opening,

a preipheral flange extending outwardly from and intermediate the endsof the upstanding wall,

a skylight extending over the upstanding wall and enclosing the skylightopening, the periphery of the skylight terminating in anoutwardly-extending flange disposed against and seated on the peripheralflange,

means securing the outwardly-extending flange of the skylight to theperipheral flange, and

a seal strip disposed on the pitched roof adjacent and extending alongthe length of the high side of the skylight frame member, said sealstrip including an upstanding member extending upwardly from the pitchedroof, the upper end of which extends to a vertical height in ahorizontal plane. above the upper end of the upstanding wall and aflange ext nding angularly from adjacent the upper end of the upstandingmember and extending over the securing means. i

2. The skylight construction of claim 1 in which the upstanding memberand the flange of the seal strip extend at least a portion of the lengthof the sides of the skylight frame member from the high side.

3. A skylight construction mounted on a pitched roof provided with askylight opening comprising,

a skylight frame member having an outwardly-extending base flangesecured to and seated on the pitched roof about the skylight opening,

an upstanding wall extending from and substantially normal to the baseflange and about the skylight opening,

a peripheral flange extending outwardly from and intermediate the endsof the upstanding wall,

a skylight extending over the upstanding wall and enclosing the skylightopening, the periphery of the skylight terminating in anoutwardly-extending flange disposed against and seated on the peripheralflange,

means securing the outwardly-extending flange of the skylight to theperipheral flange, and

a seal strip disposed on the pitched roof at the high side of theskylight frame member, said seal strip including a base member extendingalong the length of the high side of the skylight frame and disposed onthe pitched roof, a wall member extending angularly and upwardly fromthe base member to a vertical height in a horizontal plane above theupper end of the upstanding wall of the skylight frame member, and aflange extending angularly toward and over the securing means from andadjacent the upper end of the wall member and extending over thesecuring means.

4. The skylight construction of claim 3 in which the base member, thewall member and the flange of the seal strip extend at least a portionof the length of the sides of the skylight frame member from the highside.

5. A skylight construction mounted on a pitched roof provided with askylight opening comprising,

a skylight frame member having an outwardly extending lbase flangesecured to and seated on the pitched roof adjacent the skylight opening,

an upstanding wall extending from and substantially normal to the baseflange and about the skylight opening,

a peripheral flange extending outwardly from and intermediate the endsof the upstanding wall and providing a seat,

a skylight extending over the upstanding wall enclosing the skylightopening, the periphery of the skylight terminating in anoutwardly-extending flange disposed against and seated on the seat,

means securing the outwardly-extending flange of the skylight to theperipheral flange, said means comprising a generally U-shaped member,when viewed in vertical section, the legs of which are disposed over thetop of the outwardly extending flange of the skylight, the sides of theoutwardly extending flange of the skylight and the seat and under theseat and snugly secure the skylight to the seat, and

a seal strip disposed on the pitched roof extending along the length ofthe high side of the skylight frame member, said seal strip including anupstanding member extending upwardly from the pitched roof, the upperend of which extends to a vertical height in a horizontal plane abovethe upper end of the upstanding wall, and a flange extending an'gularlytoward and e skylight and the seat'and under the seat and snugly securethe skylight to the seat, and seal strip disposed on the pitched roof atthe high side of the skylight frame, said seal strip including over thesecuring means from and adjacent the upper 5 end of the upstandingmember.

6. The skylight construction of claim 5 in which the upstanding memberand the flange of the seal strip extend at least a portion of the lengthof the sides of the skylight frame member from the high side. 19

7. A skylight construction mounted on a pitched roof provided with askylight opening comprising,

a skylight frame member having an outwardly-extending base flangesecured to and seated on the pitched roof adjacent the skylight opening,

an upstanding wall extending upwardly from and substantially normal tothe base flange about the skylight opening,

a peripheral flange extending outwardly from and intermediate the endsof the upstanding wall and provid- 20 ing a seat,

a base flange extending along the length of the high side of theskylight frame and disposed on the pitched roof, a wall member extendingangularly and upwardly from the base flange to a vertical height in ahorizontal plane about the upper end of the upstanding wall of theskylight frame Inember, and a flange extending angularly toward and overthe securing means from and adjacent the upper end of the wall member.8. The skylight construction of claim 7 in which the 15 base flange, thewall member and the flange of the seal strip extend at least a portionof the length of the sides of the skylight frame member from the highside.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS a skylightextending over the wall and enclosing the skylight opening, theperiphery of the skylight termi- 3068753 12/1962 Kirk at X nating in anoutwardly-extending flange disposed 3090613 5/1963 Bechfgolld againstand seating on the seat, 25

means securing the outwardly-extending flange of the FOREIGN PATENTSskylight to the seat, said means comprising a gen- 91,914 6/1958 Norwayenally U-shaped member, when viewed in vertical section, the legs ofwhich are disposed over the top of the outwardly extending flange of theskylight, the sides of the outwardly extending flange of the CHARLES E.OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. JACOB SHAPIRO, EARL J. WITMER, Examiners.

1. A SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION MOUNTED ON A PITCHED ROOF PROVIDED WITH ASKYLIGHT OPENING COMPRISING, A SKYLIGHT FRAME MEMBER HAVING ANOUTWARDLY-EXTENDING BASE FLANGE SECURED TO AND SEATED ON THE PITCHEDROOF ABOUT THE SKYLIGHT OPENING, AN UPSTANDING WALL EXTENDING FROM ANDSUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE BASE FLANGE AND ABOUT THE SKYLIGHT OPENING APERIPHERAL FLANGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM AND INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OFTHE UPSTANDING WALL, A SKYLIGHT EXTENDING OVER THE UPSTANDING WALL ANDENCLOSING THE SKYLIGHT OPENING, THE PERIPHERY OF THE SKYLIGHTTERMINATING IN AN OUTWARDLY-EXTENDING FLANGE DISPOSED AGAINST AND SEATEDON THE PERIPHERAL FLANGE, MEANS SECURING THE OUTWARDLY-EXTENDING FLANGEOF THE SKYLIGHT TO THE PERIPHERAL FLANGE, AND A SEAL STRIP DISPOSED ONTHE PITCHED ROOF ADJACENT AND EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE HIGHSIDE OF THE SKYLIGHT FRAME MEMBER, SAID SEAL STRIP INCLUDING ANUPSTANDING MEMBER EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE PITCHED ROOF, THE UPPEREND OF WHICH EXTENDS TO A VERTICAL HEIGHT IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE ABOVETHE UPPER END OF THE UPSTANDING WALL AND A FLANGE EXTENDING ANGLARLYFROM ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF THE UPSTANDING MEMBER AND EXTENDING OVERTHE SECURING MEANS.